New standard released to support transparent and effective local government decision-making
Newly revised NZS 9202:2026 Local government standing orders – Ngā ture ārahi kāwanatanga ā-rohe provides an updated framework to guide how local authorities across Aotearoa New Zealand conduct their meetings and make decisions.
Cover photograph of the Ashburton Council Chamber: Johannes van Kan/Naylor Love Canterbury.
Commissioned by the Department of Internal Affairs as part of the Local Government System Improvements programme, this new edition reflects over 20 years of changes and supersedes NZS 9202:2003. It reflects evolving governance practices and the expectations of communities for transparency, accessibility, and accountability in local government.
A comprehensive guide to running local authority meetings
The standard sets out model standing orders to enable the orderly and lawful conduct of meetings. It integrates legislative requirements with practical guidance to help councils operate effectively.
NZS 9202:2026 is structured into ten core parts covering:
- Council structures, roles, and delegations
- How meetings are called and notified
- Agenda setting and decision-making processes
- Public access, participation, and transparency
- Meeting procedures, debate rules, and voting
- Record-keeping, including minutes.
It also includes appendices with detailed guidance on topics such as excluding the public, voting systems, urgent meetings, and debate options.
Standards New Zealand Project Manager Glenda McLaughlin says, ‘The standard is the result of dedicated mahi and collaboration by a committee of diverse representatives from across the motu. It better reflects New Zealand in the 21st century with additions of content in te reo Māori and clear and accessible guidance. I want to thank and acknowledge the time and expertise of all those involved.’
Supporting open, transparent, and effective governance
At its core, the standard supports the principles set out in the Local Government Act 2002, particularly that governance processes should be effective, open, and transparent.
Key areas of focus include:
- Transparency and public participation – reinforcing requirements for open meetings, public forums, and access to agendas and minutes.
- Consistency with legislation – aligning with key statutes such as the Local Government Act 2002 and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
- Clarity in decision-making – providing clear rules for debate, motions, voting, and conflicts of interest
- Modern meeting practices – including provisions for livestreaming, recording, and participation via electronic link.
Who should use this standard?
NZS 9202:2026 is designed for territorial and regional councils, community boards and local boards, council committees and subcommittees, elected members, governance advisors, and council officers
It is also a valuable reference for legal and governance professionals, central government agencies and members of the public seeking to understand how local decision-making works.
Adopting NZS 9202:2026 provides multiple benefits:
- Improved governance quality – Clear, consistent procedures help elected members conduct meetings efficiently and make robust, defensible decisions.
- Greater transparency and trust – Strong provisions for open meetings, public access, and clear decision-making processes support community confidence.
- Legislative alignment – The standard consolidates and interprets legislative requirements, reducing risk and supporting compliance.
- Flexibility for local context – While providing a solid baseline, the standard allows councils to adapt certain provisions to suit their communities
- Practical, ready-to-use guidance – From agendas to debate rules, the standard offers detailed, operational guidance that can be readily implemented.
Developed by a diverse sector-led committee
NZS 9202:2026 was developed through Standards New Zealand’s independent consensus-based process by a committee representing a wide range of organisations from across the local government system. Contributors included sector leadership and governance expertise from representatives working in local authorities and councils, central government and associations.
This broad representation ensured the standard reflects practical, real-world experience while aligning with statutory requirements and national expectations.
A modern foundation for local democracy
NZS 9202:2026 provides an essential foundation for how local authorities operate, ensuring meeting procedures are robust, transparent, and fit for today’s governance environment.
It supports elected members and officials to carry out their roles effectively while ensuring communities can engage with, and have confidence in, local decision-making processes.
NZS 9202:2026 is available now from Standards New Zealand.(external link)